Make Stitch Markers for Knitting or Crochet

You can make a ton of stitch markers for either knitting or crochet using just a few supplies from the dollar store. Cute stitch markers are a fun gift for any knitters or crocheters in your life.

I love these little wooden beads found at Dollar Tree. I have a few ideas for the beads, but my first idea was so cute and easy that I ended up using all the beads I bought at the store just making stitch markers!

Stitch markers for knitting are fundamentally different than stitch markers for crochet. Knitting stitch markers are rings that slip on the knitting needles and stay there. Crochet stitch markers must be removable, so you want to use something more like a hook. I used safety pins for my crochet stitch markers, but you can also use earring hooks. If you are making knitting markers, you will also need to make a stop at the craft store for "cabone rings," which are sold in the knitting supplies section. I got a bag of 25 for 99 cents.

The wooden beads I bought came with a good length of elastic cord, so I used that for attaching the beads to the rings. I also found some waxed jewelry cord and crimping beads in my bead box, which both worked well without a beading needle, too. If you are making crochet markers, you might have everything you need on hand!

Thread, elastic cord, waxed cord, or something to attach the beads to the rings, on hand

Total cost: FREE to $2.99

To make knitting markers:

Thread cord through a large bead, then around the ring, then back through the large bead. Feed through smaller bead, tie off with a square knot. Tuck knot into small bead, if possible. If you use elastic cord, you can stretch it a bit when you tie it, to make the beads snug.

It's best to leave a long length of cord to do the threading and tying, to avoid frustration with a too-short-to-tie cord.

When you're done tying, cut the cord.

To make crochet markers:

Follow the instructions for knitting markers, but use safety pins or earring hooks instead of cabone rings.

Disclosure: this article may contain affiliate links or other forms of sponsored content. Opinions are 100% the author's. Full disclosure policy.

i am just now knitting a “block of the month” quilt with each block incorporating a new pattern each month. i use stitch markers but NOT THIS CUTE!! ohmygoodness, i’ll be the ENVY (not that that is a good characteristic to encourage) of the entire group. i’m heading out to get the rings RIGHT NOW, and i’ll be all over it only because i only have about a MILLION beads.
thanks for the GREAT idea!! i’m inspired, whoo hoo!!
ps awesome pictures!

# 5 March 2009 at 7:09 am

Moiety said:

You can also make knitting stitch markers (probably crochet too, but it would be more work) out of just plain wire and beads. Twist the wire over a larger gauge needle, put a bead over both ends, and twist the ends with pliers so the bead won’t come off and the edges aren’t sharp. I swear this makes more sense than my post does!

Just found your site – very inspirational! I’ve been making my own crochet stitch markers and I only use dollar store findings (beads, wire, etc.) I lucked out recently and found “lever” back style earrings at my local DS, and realized they are very sturday stitch markers! No sharp edges and they lock into place like a safety pin. Yay! I make them as gifts (in sets of 6), and was able to knock out 6 sets for under $6. It was a good dat at my house :)